Gardening

2 years/120 ECTS, Diploma

LEARN MORE

Registered Programme with the Cyprus Ministry of Education & Culture
Accredited Programme by the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education (CY.Q.A.A.)
Government Grant up to €3,420 for each year of study (with income criteria)

In Cyprus, where the tradition of Gardening and Landscaping is relatively small, the Mediterranean climate creates particular challenges, but with a special adaptation of traditional methods, materials and practices. The two-year programme "Gardening" is a professional programme which, in the direction of the word "learn to do", introduces the students to historical and modern practices and techniques for Gardening, Cultivation and Arboriculture, which are appropriate for the Mediterranean climate. The programme is geared to the Gardening for dry-thermal environments, seaside landscapes and mountainous areas.

Job Opportunities

Create own business in the gardening sector
Work as freelancer in gardening
Employment in both private and public sector in the field of gardening and landscaping
Employment in industries or in greenhouses producing small industries and their equipment, as well as greenhouse enterprises for the production of vegetable products

Aims of Programme

To give graduates solid theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the field of Gardening and Cultivation.
Let graduates work autonomously in the field of Gardening and agricultural production.
Let graduates develop and modernize their knowledge and skills and, if they so desire, continue to pursue higher education at Universities and other higher education institutions in the Branch or other similar Branches.

Programme Structure

Semester 1
COURSES	P.P.W*	ECTS
Health and Safety in Gardening	2	4
Ecology	2	4
Introduction to Chemistry	2	4
Introduction to Garden History	2	4
Introduction to Pedology and Fertilizers	3	6
Introduction to Botany	5	8
TOTAL	16	30

Semester 2
COURSES	P.P.W*	ECTS
Design Process in Gardening	3	4
Professional English	2	3
Computer Science	2	2
Gardening and Floriculture : Annual, Biennial, Perennial, Bulbs, Tubers and Phizomes	3	5
Gardening and Floriculture : Hedges, Bushes, Trees and Climbing Plants.	3	6
Grasses, Turfs and Mosaic Plants	3	6
Practical Training I	-	4
TOTAL	16	30

Semester 3
COURSES	P.P.W*	ECTS
Arboriculture	3	6
Ornamental Trees, Shrubs and Bushes	3	5
Management of Enemies, Diseases and Weeds	2	4
Introduction to Computer Aided Design	3	5
Garden Constructions I	2	4
Garden and Landscaping Drawing Plan	4	6
TOTAL	17	30

Semester 4
COURSES	P.P.W*	ECTS
Automatic Irrigation Systems	2	4
2D Computer Aided Landscaping Design	3	4
Urban Gardening	2	3
Garden Constructions II	3	3
Tree Surgery and Basic Pruning Techniques	2	3
Final Project I	3	5
Elective	2	4
Practical Training II	-	4
TOTAL	17	30

Electives
COURSES	P.P.W*	ECTS
Introduction to Environmental Science	2	4
Viticulture - Oenology	2	4
Solid and Liquid Waste Management	2	4
Nutrition and Diet	2	4
Food and Society	2	4
Introduction to Marketing	2	4

*P.P.W.: Period per week. Duration: 55 minutes.

Courses Description

Health and Safety in Gardening

The main purpose of the course is to elevate the appropriate conditions for a safe and healthy working environment.

Ecology

The aim of the course is to introduce the students to the science of Ecology for understanding the relationships between the different organisms and the environment and the need for its improvement and protection in order to maintain its sustainability.

Introduction to Chemistry

The aim of the course is to provide students with basic principles of General and Inorganic Chemistry, which are considered necessary for the understanding and consolidation of the knowledge that the Gardening professional must possess.

Introduction to Garden history

The main purpose of the course is to introduce the students to the basic evolution and development of gardening in history, help them to become capable to locate this evolution and development through the appropriate lens and historical prospect and introduce them to the aesthetics of cultural development.

Introduction to Pedology and Fertilizers

The aim of the course is to teach students the basic functions of the soil (physicochemical properties) and how it can be fertilized for the healthy growth of plants and shrub trees.

Introduction to Botany

The aim of the course is to introduce students to the basic concepts of Botany, the characteristics of living and non-living organisms and the internal phenomena of plant life.

The Design Process in Landscaping Design

This course is designed to build and enhance student’s ‘Designer Thinking’ allowing them to produce detailed and of high quality, novel design proposals, presented in a professional manner.

Professional English

The aim of the course is to demonstrate how English is used in real-life situations of Gardening and Landscaping professionals.

Computer Science

The main purpose of the course is to introduce students to the basic computer functions, skills and applications.

Gardening and Floriculture: Annual, Biennial, Perennial, Bulbs, Tubers and Phizomes

The aim the course is to provide students with the basic knowledge and skills regarding the cultivation, preservation and protection of various ornamental plants, harvested flowers, bulbs, tubers and rhizomes and for grooming gardens and parks.

Gardening and Floriculture: Hedges, Bushes, Trees and Climbing Plants

Grasses, Turfs and Mosaic Plants

The aim of the course is to give students the basic knowledge and skills regarding the creation, cultivation, protection and maintenance of Grasses, Turfs and Mosaic Plants

Practical Training I

The Practical Training course in gardening aims to consolidate the theoretical knowledge acquired by the students during the first year of their studies and help them build practical skills in the specialty of the gardener.

Arboriculture

The aim of the course is to provide students with the general principles of Arboriculture with regard to the growth, development, propagation and fruition of trees. The course also deals with the origin, morphology, development and production of each fruit tree individually.

Ornamental Trees, Shrubs and Bushes

The course introduces students to the concept of landscaping with various plants, shrubs and trees, and their right combination and placement in space to ensure consistency and enhance their beauty as living elements of the garden.

Management of Plant Pests, Diseases and Weeds

The aim of the course is to train students to recognize pests (insects, mites, nematodes), diseases (fungi, bacteria, viruses) and the various kinds of weeds (annual, biannual, perennial) and control them with the most appropriate method (chemical, physical, mechanical and biological).

Introduction to Computer Aided Design

The main purpose of this course is to get the students acquainted with the use of the Adobe Photoshop and AutoCAD design software.

Garden Constructions I

This main purpose of this course, is to introduce students to the different materials that are used in gardening constructions, describing their properties and uses.

Garden and Landscaping Drawing Plan

The main purpose of this course is to give to the students an outline of the general principles and practices of garden design, based especially on the appropriate use of tools, the graphical representation and material.

Automatic Irrigation Systems

The aim of the course is to train students in the design and installation of irrigation systems and installation of automations, aiming at exploiting their potential and advantages in saving water, reducing working time and improving the quality of the products produced.

2D Computer Aided Landscaping Design

The course focuses on the study, understand and creation of landscaping designs, projective and prospective designs, as well as irrigation and altitude designs. Furthermore, this course focuses on 2D design, based on the software program AutoCAD.

Urban Gardening

The aim of the course is to introduce students to the basic elements of small scale gardens in urban areas and in areas such as balconies, open spaces, courtyards and even indoors.

Garden Constructions II

The course ‘Gardening Constructions II’ represents a continuation of the course ‘Gardening Constructions I’ which, as it follows, is a prerequisite for this course.

Tree Surgery and Basic Pruning Techniques

The aim of the course is to train students in the practice and in the techniques of pruning. It focuses on various ornamental and fruit trees as well as shrubs, aiming to influence their growth and development with effect on production of flowers and fruits as well as on aesthetics.

Final Project I

The main scope of this course, is to prepare the students to carry out a professional gardening design, applying the knowledge and skills acquired through the respective program of studies.

Practical Training II

With professional practice in real conditions and situations, this course aims to enrich the students’ knowledge acquired through the theoretical part of the courses during the first and second year of their studies and help them capitalize on their practical skills within the specialization of the garden constructionist.

ELECTIVES

Introduction to Environmental Science

The aim of the course is to introduce students to the concept of sustainability, for the sustainable management of natural resources through the understanding of the structure and function of the natural and anthropogenic environment and their interaction. In addition, to identify the problems that have arisen from this interaction, as well as the ways in which these problems can be addressed.

Viticulture – Oenology

The aim of the course is to introduce students to the basic principles of viticulture and winemaking.

Liquid and Solid Waste Management

The course introduces students to the basic characteristics of waste, that waste is valuable resources and the basic technologies used in the treatment of liquid and solid waste.

Nutrition and Diet

The aim of the course is to introduce students to the basic principles of nutrition and dietetics and to the role of different foods in human health.

Food and Society

The aim of the course is to introduce students to the general concepts of nutrition and society. Students will study the influences that people receive in relation to eating.

Introduction to Marketing

To introduce students to the science of Marketing Management and its applications in business and organisations.

Academic Staff

Coordinator of the Programme: Dr. Androniki Bolla

Office: 5 Kallipolis Avenue, 1055 Nicosia

Tel.: 00357 22875737, E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Employment Status: Part Time

Position: Lecturer

Specialization: AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION, ENVIRONMENTAL

Programmes of Study: GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING

Short cv: Ms. Antoniou Efrosini is a Lecturer at KES College since 2015. She has a Master's degree in Urban Environmental Management from the Wageningen University of the Netherlands and a Degree in Agriculture from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She participated in a number of seminars and working groups related to her specialty.

Publications:

• Zafiriou, R., & Antoniou, E., (2013) “Experiences of present Climate Change impacts at the heart of Mediterranean. The case of beekeepers, olive growers and fisher folk on Kythera and Antikythera islands”. UNESCO Research Report, Pages 72-112

• Antoniou, E., (2012) ‘Urban Heat Island Effect and the Urban Water Management in the City of Arnhem’. Altera Research Institute and Future Cities - Urban Networks to Face Climate Change. Research Report, Pages 1-64
Employment Status: Part Time

Position: Lecturer

Specialization: SAFETY AND HEALTH

Programmes of Study: GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING, BEAUTY THERAPY AND BEAUTY THERAPY UNITS MANAGEMENT

Short cv: Mr Athanasios Athanasiou is a Lecturer at KES College from the current academic year (2019). He has a Masters Degree in ‘Environmental and Natural Resource Management’ and a Bachelors' Degree in ‘Natural Environment Protection’, from Ioannina University. Mr Athanasiou attained a number of educational seminars related to ‘Health and Safety’ and has a great experience in training employees in the specific domain. He also has the title of ‘E.X.Y.P.P- Health and Safety Certified Consultant’ from the Ministry of Labour of the Cyprus Republic. In addition, Mr Athanasiou had worked as a Health and Safety Manager in large companies in Cyprus. Moreover, since 2010, Mr Athanasiou is the President of the Cyprus Environmental Association and a Scientific Consultant Partner of other associations and companies.
Employment Status: Full Time

Position: Programme Coordinator, Senior Lecturer

Specialization: AGRICULTURE, HURTICULTURE

Programmes of Study: GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING

Short cv: Dr Androniki Bolla is a Senior Lecturer at KES College since 2013 and as of 2019 she is the Programme Coordinator for the “Gardening” (2 Years, Diploma) and “Gardening and Landscape Design” (3 Years, Higher Diploma) Programmes of study. She holds a Doctorate (PhD) in Agriculture from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, MSc in Agriculture from the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania CICHEAM and a Degree in Agriculture from the Aristotle University. Currently she continues her academic studies at the Open University of Cyprus in Environmental Protection and Management program of studies. She has also served as a fellow at the Centre of Excellence in Agriculture and the Environment, (OGI, 2003-2004). She has worked as an Agricultural Officer at the Department of Agriculture from 2011-2013 and as an inspector of agricultural holdings at the National Bank of Greece from 2000 to 2003. She has been responsible for the organization and management of research laboratories and Coordination and organization of conferences.

Publications:
- • Diamantidis, Gr., Thomai, T., Genitsariotis, M., Nanos, G., Bolla, A., Sfakiotakis, E., 2002. Scald susceptibility and biochemical/physiological changes in respect to low preharvest temperature in 'Starking Delicious' apple fruit (2002). Scientia Horticulturae 92 (3-4), pp. 361-366
- • Chimonidou, D., Bolla, A., Pitta, C., Vassiliou, L., Kyriakou, G. and Put, H.M.C. 2007. Is it possible to transfer aroma from rosa damascena to hybrid tea rose cultivars by hybridisation? Acta Hort. 751:299-304.
- • Bolla, A., Koukourikou-Petridou M., Voyiatzis D., Chimonidou D., 2009. Physiological responses associated to substrate water availability of Rosa 'Eurored' plants grown in soilless greenhouse conditions. Scientia Horticulturae 121 (1), pp. 80-83.
- • Bolla, A., Voyiatzis D., Koukourikou-Petridou M., Chimonidou D., 2010. Photosynthetic parameters and cut-flower yield of rose ‘Eurored’ (H.T.) are adversely affected by mild water stress irrespective of the substrate composition. Scientia Horticulturae 126, pp. 390-394.
Employment Status: Part Time

Position: Lecturer

Specialization: AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL

Programmes of Study: GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING, TECHNICIAL FOR PRODUCTION OF ORGANIC PRODUCTS

Short cv: Ms. Christina Christodoulou is a Lecturer at KES College since 2016. She holds a Master (MSc) and a Bachelor Degree (BSc) in Agriculture from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and a Diploma in Cosmetology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, while she is also in the process of obtaining a second postgraduate qualification in Environmental Management and Protection by the Open University of Cyprus. Between 2008-2014 she worked at the Cyprus Beekeeping Center as Agronomist. She is also an instructor at the Adult Education Centers of the Ministry of Education and Culture since 2012 and a teacher at the Post-Lyceum Training Institutes of the Ministry of Education and Culture from 2015 - today. In addition since 2015, she is a Chief Agricultural Officer at the Cyprus Agro Industry Center. She teaches subjects of her specialty.
Employment Status: Part Time

Position: Senior Lecturer

Specialization: CHEMISTRY

Programmes of Study: TECHNICIAL FOR PRODUCTION OF ORGANIC PRODUCTS, MEDICAL REPRESENTATIVES, GARDENING

Short cv: Dr Galatia Pieridou is a Senior Lecturer at KES College since 2011. She holds a PhD in Chemistry from University of Cyprus and an undergraduate degree and and has participated in a number of research programs, publishing in scientific journals. Moreover, she has participated in a number of conferences related to the area of her studies, research and teaching.
Employment Status: Full Time

Position: Programme Coordinator, Senior Lecturer

Specialization: BIOLOGY, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Programmes of Study: JOURNALISM WITH PUBLIC RELATIONS, GARDENING, BEAUTY THERAPY AND BEAUTY THERAPY UNITS MANAGEMENT

Short cv: Dr. Demetrios Sarris is an Academic Scholar with +15 years research experience, participating in over 20 international and national research projects and has developed international collaborations with scientists from Switzerland, USA, France, Israel, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Cyprus and Greece. Publications of his research teams have a significant impact and are featured in leading scientific journals, with research findings having been presented in +30 primarily international conferences. He is also a reviewer for more than 10 international journals and has designed and supervised over 30 Thesis. Trained in Switzerland (Inst. of Botany, Univ. Basel) and Greece (Dept of Biology, Univ. of Patras) in Biology (BSc), in Ecology and Environmental Management (MSc) and in Dendro- Ecology/Climatology and Plant Science (PhD), he has been employed: (i) at the Dept of Biological Sciences of the Univ. of Cyprus (having held the positions of Assistant Professor-Academic Visitor and Special Scientist for Research & Lecturing), (ii) at the Open Univ. of Cyprus (as Academic Coordinator, Adjunct Faculty Tutor & Master’s Thesis Supervisor of the Environmental Conservation and Management Postgraduate Program), (iii) at the Dept of Life Sciences, European Univ. of Cyprus and (iv) at KES College in Cyprus (as Coordinator of the Environmental Management and of the Organic Products Technicians’ Programs). He has also worked at Academic Institutions in Greece and has Post Doc experience at the Inst. of Botany, Univ. Basel and at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI, ETH-Zurich). He is an expert of the International Science Network MedECC, which supports, inter alia, the UN Environmental Program, and has served as Scientific Consultant for Scientific Documentaries (e.g. Άνυδρη Γη), for the University of Cyprus (Black Gold Strategic Program) on Sustainable Agroforestry and Organic Farming aiming to revitalize the carob industry of Cyprus («Μαύρος Χρυσός») and for the Association of Organic Farmers in Cyprus. He is also an Invited Member of the Editorial Board of Annals of Silvicultural Research.
Employment Status: Full Time

Position: Programme Coordinator, Senior Lecturer

Specialization: CHEMISTRY, EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Programmes of Study: BEAUTY THERAPY AND BEAUTY THERAPY UNITS MANAGEMENT, MEDICAL REPRESENTATIVES, PHARMACY ASSISTANT (TECHNICIAN), GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING

Short cv: Mr Spyros Theocharous is a Senior Lecturer and Coordinator of the Pharmacy Assistants (Technicians) and Medical Representatives Programs of study at KES College since 2011. He is a holder of an MA Degree in Educational Leadership, MSc Degree in Catalysis and Protection of the Environment. Mr. Theocharous has also obtained an MBA qualification and a BSc Degree in Chemistry. He is a qualified Professional Trainer from the Human Resource Development Authority (HRDA), he has written a number of manuals related to teaching and has participated in a number of conferences.